At least 18 people have died and nearly 700 have been injured in fires involving e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries across the United Kingdom, according to new data obtained by BBC Verify.

More than 2,000 fires linked to the vehicles or their batteries were recorded by fire and rescue services between 2019 and 2025. The number of incidents increased every year, with almost half occurring in homes or garages.

Battery-related fires rose sharply from 32 incidents in 2019 to 605 in 2025.

The London Fire Brigade said it was increasingly concerned about the fire risks posed by some e-bikes and e-scooters, particularly those that have been modified or bought second-hand.

Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha said many of the fires attended by the brigade involved second-hand vehicles or bikes modified with parts bought online. She urged consumers to be careful about where they purchase e-bikes and e-scooters.

Experts say lithium-ion batteries, which power most of the vehicles, can store large amounts of energy in a small space. However, faulty, damaged or overcharged batteries can release that energy rapidly, producing flames and burning projectiles.

Dr Simon Jones of the University of Warwick said such fires could spread through a room within seconds, potentially blocking escape routes. He also warned that burning batteries can release toxic fumes that pose a serious health risk.

The danger was highlighted by the experience of 24-year-old Jahmell Campbell, whose e-scooter caught fire at his grandmother’s home in London.

Campbell said the vehicle suddenly burst into flames near the front door, leaving the family unable to escape normally. He jumped from a window, while his father helped his grandmother escape through the same route.

His grandmother suffered minor injuries, while the flat, where she had lived for more than 20 years, was destroyed.

Several deaths have also been linked to fires involving e-bike batteries.

Eight-year-old Luke Albiston-O’Donnell from Birkenhead died in 2024 after inhaling toxic fumes from a house fire caused by an e-bike battery that was charging.

In another case, 28-year-old Mohsin Janjua from Bradford died in 2023 after a fire involving an e-bike conversion kit purchased online from China. Investigators concluded that a catastrophic battery failure was more likely than not to have caused the fire.

Coroners have issued at least five reports since 2023 warning about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters and calling for improvements to public safety.

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The Bicycle Association said the growing availability of cheap and unsafe products online was undermining efforts by legitimate retailers to provide safe e-bikes.

Steve Garidis of the association said illegal and unsafe products sold through online marketplaces could put unsuspecting consumers at risk.

The UK government has warned that batteries can become a serious fire hazard if they fail to meet safety standards, are damaged, modified or used with incompatible chargers.

Its “Buy Safe, Be Safe” campaign advises consumers to check for recognised UKCE or CE safety markings when purchasing e-bikes and e-scooters.

The government also said it was strengthening the responsibilities of online marketplaces and working with local authorities to identify and remove unsafe products from sale.

(BBC News)